South Africa rejects Zimbabwe sanctions

South Africa ruled out imposing "smart" sanctions against
neighbouring Zimbabwe, saying similar measures taken by the
European Union had not brought any results, a top minister
said.

South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told
parliament the issues in Zimbabwe remained a challenge but
reiterated that it was up to the people of that country to solve
its problems.

Asked if South Africa should not take stronger action, such as
targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's
government, she said those imposed by the EU had failed.

"It may not be a very useful tool to use right now because it
doesn't seem to be yielding results, even in the hands of the most
powerful block in the world," Dlamini Zuma said.

The United States and the EU have imposed travel and business
restrictions against Mugabe and other top government officials.

Zimbabwe's worst economic crisis since independence in 1980 has
been blamed on the policies of Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF. The
long-standing ruler has also been accused of human rights
violations and rigging elections to stay in power.

The veteran Zimbabwean leader denies allegations of repression
and mismanagement, and in turn accuses domestic and Western
opponents of demonising him and sabotaging the economy over his
seizures of white-owned farms.

Dlamini Zuma said no one could force Zimbabwe to change its
policies.

"There is a problem, there is a challenge but I do not have all
the answers about how to solve Zimbabwe. I think equally none of us
has all the answers. The answers do lie in the Zimbabweans' hands,"
she said.

"Even if we wanted Zimbabwe to go this way, I don't think we
have a tool of forcing them to go that way."

Critics say South African President Thabo Mbeki's policy of
"quiet diplomacy" towards Mugabe has failed, and have urged the
government to take stronger measures.